Nafiu Bala, a contender for the ADC leadership, has criticized older politicians, saying it is time for them to step aside and allow younger people to lead. He argued that figures like Atiku Abubakar and David Mark have been part of Nigeria’s political system for decades and should not continue to dominate leadership positions.
During an interview on AIT News, Bala compared the situation to that of Paul Biya, Cameroon’s long-serving president, suggesting that some Nigerian politicians want to remain in power for too long. He stressed that when Biya began his leadership journey, both Atiku and Mark were already active in politics, yet they are still seeking power today.
He also addressed criticism about his ability to speak fluent English. Bala explained that English is not his first language and should not be used as a measure of leadership ability. According to him, many of those criticizing him come from privileged backgrounds and benefited from better educational opportunities.
Bala accused past leaders of weakening public education by diverting resources and investing in private universities instead. He believes this has made it harder for children from poor backgrounds to succeed.
In addition, he dismissed negative comments on social media, claiming they are often influenced by money and do not reflect the true desires of ordinary Nigerians.
In his words, “Atiku wants to be Paul Biya, the time Paul Biya started, Atiku was in the system, David Mark was in the system, we won’t allow the likes of Paul Biya.”
